Black Vesper’S Pageants

The day, all fierce with carmine, turns An Indian face towards Earth and dies; The west, like some gaunt vase, inurns Its ashes under smoldering skies; Athwart whose bowl one red cloud streams, Wild as some dream an Aztec dreams.

Now shadows mass above the world, And night comes on with wind and rain; The mulberry-colored leaves are hurled Like frantic hands against the pane. And through the forests, bending low, Night stalks like some gigantic Woe.

In hollows where the thistle shakes A hoar bloom like a witch’s light, From weed and flower the rain-wind rakes Dead sweetness--as a wildman might, From autumn leaves, the woods among, Dig some dead woman, fair and young.

Now let me walk the woodland ways, Alone! except for thoughts, that are Akin to such wild nights and days-- A portion of the storm that far Fills Heaven and Earth tumultuously, And my own soul with ecstasy.